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Epiphany is celebrated all over the world; therefore, Epiphany may be considered a universal holiday or celebration. It is celebrated in various aspects, by various cultures.

The word epiphany comes from the Greek prefix epi- and the Greek word phainein. 'Epi-'means on, to, while 'phainein' means to show or to be manifested. The term epiphany was used in pre-Christian times, in references to the mythological Greek deities. It was also used secularly, in the sense of having a self-revelation. For example, one may say, "Three days ago I experienced an epiphany and realized that I was born to be an author!" Epiphany is often interchanged with the expression theophany: a Greek word meaning manifestation of God (theophany stems from theo, the Greek word for God and phainein, the Greek word for manifestation).

During the early Christian era, the word epiphany was used in reference to the commemoration of the birth or manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, namely the Magi, who were the Three Wise Men. Traditionally, in the Eastern and Latin Churches, this holy day was celebrated on January 6th and was called the Twelfth Day or Little Christmas. It is not the Feast of the Birth of Christ, but Epiphany was considered the elite holiday of the church, because in it, three major proclamations of the Christian faith were observed: (1) Christ's manifestation to the Gentiles-the Three Kings from the East (the Wise Men) (2) Christ's miracle performed at the Wedding of Cana of Galilee (3) Christ's baptism in the River Jordan.

In Ethiopia, Epiphany is distinctly referred to as the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. It usually takes place on January 18th or 19th (if it is a Leap Year). It is a major feast day of the Lord in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church and it succeeds the feast of LidetEthiopian Christmas. Timqet, which refers to baptism in Ge'ezthe ancient and liturgical language of Ethiopia and her orthodox church, is celebrated by every Ethiopian Orthodox Church in the world, but the grandest and most elaborate of the festivities takes place in Ethiopia. The feast of Timqet or Epiphany in Ethiopia is a very solemn occasion. It begins with earnest and contrite prayers, as the parishioners gather in crowds at local churches.

Throughout Ethiopia, on the eve of Timqet, all of the churches' congregations will proceed to a designated water way, whether it is a river, a lake, pond or man-made reservoir with their individual Arks, or Ta'bot. Ta'bot is

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